Cecil Joseph 'Jim' Carter was educated at Victoria School in Chelmsford and worked at Hoffmann's bearings factory in Chelmsford before joining the army. After six months he went to north Africa where he was wounded. After three months' recovery he rejoined his unit in Italy where he was wounded for a second time, dying from those wounds three months later in Algeria. His parents lived in Glebe Road, Chelmsford.

Jim was born in the Chelmsford district in 1917, the youngest son of Arthur Frank ‘Jack’ Carter and Lily Maud Carter (nee Hardy). His father had been born in 1883, his mother eight years later. The couple married in 1915 and in 1916 they were living at 171 Springfield Road, Chelmsford (renumbered since). Cecil's elder brother, Cyril, was born and died in 1916.

During the Second World War Jim served as Private 14212844 in the 5th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment and went abroad after being in the army for six months.

In Tunisia he received wounds from which he recovered in three months. Returning to his regiment he fought in Italy, and was badly wounded. He removed to hospital for two months in Algeria, but in spite of every attention he died from those wounds on 5th January 1944. He was 26 years old.

Cecil Joseph CARTER, Private, 5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment

Died from wounds in Algeria. Aged 26

Jim was a former employee at Hoffmann's ball-bearings factory in Chelmsford. He was very fond of sport, especially football, taking after his father who was one of the best goalkeepers Chelmsford F.C. ever had. in his Victoria School days Jim was a noted player for his school and was once picked to play in London against a London junior school team. At the time of his death his parents were living at 17 Glebe Road in Chelmsford.

Today Jim lies in El Alia Cemetery, some 8 miles from Algiers in Algeria (grave 12.A.37).